Propane Power Generation in Agriculture
Propane generators are a great source for fueling farm equipment or providing backup power. Because farms and ranches
are located in more remote areas that are further from electric companies, power is lost along these lines till they reach their
destination. The further a farm is, the more energy loss. Natural gas lines need pipes that are laid from the distributing company to
the remote farm location which sometimes is not present. Thus, propane solves some of these issues by providing portable power
generators, propane powered engines, and power generators for providing regular or backup power to the farms and ranches. A propane
tank can be installed on the farm to provide immediate access with minimal energy loss through power lines. Barns, greenhouses, and
other buildings can be heating and powered through propane power generators and heaters. According to www.usepropane.com, more than
600,000 US farms already use propane to run generators and other farm equipment.
What Propane Generators Power on Farms and Ranches
Propane can be used in many farm and ranching applications because of accessibility, cleaner burning characteristics, and
portability. Many farm equipment such as crop drying, power irrigating systems, and tractors can all benefit from propane.
Propane offers all crop drying that is efficient with a good return on cost from fuel and maintenance. Propane powered irrigation
systems provide proper power with little emissions or any toxic residue like those provided with gasoline or diesel use. Propane
generators can provide heat to greenhouses and barns in remote areas out of reach of power lines. Portable propane generators can
be used to provide power anywhere on the farm where electrical power is needed. Tractors and other farming vehicles can also run
on propane which can lead to more power and longer engine life than gasoline. There are many uses for propane generators on farms
and ranches.
Savings for Farms and Ranches using Propane Generators
Farmers and ranchers can save money using propane to power many different applications. Propane fueled heating can save money over
electrical heating. Space heating, water heating, livestock brooder, and greenhouse heaters can all be powered with propane fuel and
propane generators. These items will be more efficient and fuel cost will be more affordable than electricity. Savings can also come
from crop drying, effective pest and weed control, and cheaper irrigation pumps during dry seasons. Using propane fuel and generators
in these area can provide similar savings as the above applications. Tractors and other farm vehicles fueled by propane also have
lower emissions and longer engine lifetime. Propane cogeneration generators can provide both electricity and heating at the same
time which is great for many applications like barns, greenhouses, and livestock areas during winter seasons. This cogeneration can
provide significant savings since both electrical and heat energy are provide by one source. Propane can also be stored for longer
periods of time without losing their effective power unlike gasoline and diesel. This can save a lot of money from wasted fuel use.
There are many other ways of saving money on farms and ranches as well using propane. Cogeneration is one of the most popular ways
that will continually grow in use |